What happens
- Students will get a real feel for pioneer life
- Students will be put into small groups
- Costumed narrators guide students
- Rotating schedule of activities
- Curriculum includes Indigenous perspectives
- Hands-on learning and activities:
- Candle-dipping
- Wool-carding
- Blacksmith lesson
- Pioneer chores
- Pioneer baking
- A school lesson in the one room schoolhouse
- A visit with our farm animals
- A visit to our museum
- Nature's treasure hunt
- Cattail warriors and dolls
Availability
- We open for the season 7 days per week from mid-May to mid-October
- Education program duration is from 10 am until 2 pm
- Alternate times may be pre-arranged. Contact us.
Program cost
- Our 2023 rates are $14.43 per student and are tax exempt
- We allow one free admission (caregiver / teacher / parent) for every six students at full rate
- Extra caregivers who wish to join in your visit are charged the same admission rate as the students
- Bus drivers receive free admission with the education program purchase
Booking or more information
Please contact us to book. We require:
- School name
- Phone number and email address
- How many students you expect
- Extra caregivers (over the 1 per every 6)
- You will receive "in-class material" on confirmed booking
Payment
- Payment is required on arrival
- We accept: cash, debit, credit card or cheques from your school
- Prices are subject to applicable tax
What to bring
- Weather appropriate outerwear and footwear
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen
- Smiling faces
- Keen desire to time travel
When you arrive
- Group leader, please notify main admissions
- Costumed narrators will greet your bus
- Students will be divided into groups and led to learning stations
Portage Flyer Train Ride
- A complimentary ride on our Portage Flyer Train may be included with educational programs depending on availability
- The train does not operate on Sundays or Mondays
- If the train is not running for any reason during your education program, a discount is not provided for the complimentary train ride
Nutrition Break
- We have areas to store your packed lunches or you may leave them on the bus
- We do not have refrigeration space to accommodate packed lunches
- A shaded area with picnic tables is located on the Village Green
Accessibility
- Most of our site is flat with hard-packed gravel roadways and grass
- Outdoor site, museums and indoor restrooms are accessible
- Train can accommodate one wheelchair
- Some pioneer doorways are too narrow to allow a scooter or wheelchair to enter
- Large-print site booklets provide a virtual look inside
Read more about parking and site accessibility.
Adult education program
Adult groups of more than 12 people can pre-book education programs at regular admission rates.